Our Licences
We issue Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Licences that authorise entities to conduct regulated activities related to naval nuclear propulsion.
Activities covered under a Licence
Each facility licence is tailored to the scope and maturity of the regulated activity, and is issued only when the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator is satisfied that the applicant will be able to comply with the legislative framework and licence conditions.
Facility licences are issued for specific phases:
Preparing a site for a facility
Authorises initial groundwork and site readiness activities.
Constructing a facility
Authorises the building of nuclear safety related infrastructure, including support facilities.
Possessing or controlling a facility
Authorises having possession or control of a facility, providing an obligation to maintain and keep the facility in a safe condition even when no activities are authorised.
Operating a facility
Authorises operating a facility and will outline the conditions and time frame for the facility’s operations.
These facilities may be responsible for:
- Safe storage and processing of radioactive components and waste
- Emergency preparedness and response capabilities, including drills and contingency planning
- Commissioning of support infrastructure, ensuring readiness for operational integration.
Decommissioning a facility
Authorises the safe shutdown and dismantling of facilities.
Disposing of a facility
Authorises the final disposal of facilities, ensuring long-term environmental safety.
Licences authorise material activities related to the handling and use of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Material, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Equipment, or Naval Nuclear Propulsion Plant within designated zones or within an Australian nuclear-powered submarine.
These licences may include conditions for:
- Possession or control of material, equipment or plant
- Using material
- Operating equipment or plant
- Maintaining, storing or disposing of material, equipment or plant.
Material licences ensure that all nuclear safety related materials and components are managed safely and responsibly throughout their lifecycle.
Licences authorising submarine activities will be tailored to specific phases:
This includes:
- Commissioning activities for naval nuclear reactors and related systems
- Reactor operation and ongoing performance monitoring
- Operation of shore-side support activities for maintaining a naval nuclear reactor plant
- Submarine deployment involving nuclear propulsion systems.
The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator is not presently accepting applications for licences authorising submarine activities.
